northernbook Chapter 553 Unwilling
Chapter 553 Unwilling
Soon, Hongyu led Consort Shun and her personal maid Xiaodie into the hall.
The front hall was spacious and bright, usually used for handling palace affairs and receiving officials. If concubines came to visit, they were usually invited to the rear hall to be received. When Consort Shun was led to this place, there was no change in her expression. On the contrary, as soon as she saw Meng Shu, she took two steps and greeted her with a warm smile.
"This humble servant greets Consort Jin. I shouldn't have come so abruptly, but I was suddenly assigned the task of selecting concubines today, and I'm feeling quite anxious and confused. I've been thinking about it over and over, but I really don't know what to do. So I have no choice but to shamelessly come and ask you for advice."
Meng Shu had already stood up and smiled as she offered a helping hand: "Sister Consort Shun, there's no need for such formality. Please sit down."
Her tone was gentle, but she did not respond to Consort Shun's words. Instead, she led her to a rosewood armchair by the window and sat down together. Then she turned her head and instructed, "Green Willow, go and brew the jar of Cloud Mist Tea that Wan'er sent yesterday, and let Consort Shun have a taste."
Tea was served quickly, and its aroma filled the hall.
Consort Shun held her teacup, her fingertips gently tracing the rim, and said frankly, "To be honest, sister, I have no intention of taking on this task. As you know, I grew up in the northern frontier, learning only horseback riding and archery, and my temperament has become rather rough. I am completely ignorant of household management, rules, and regulations. Now that His Majesty has entrusted me with the heavy responsibility of selecting concubines, just those tedious procedures are making my head spin."
She looked up at Meng Shu, her gaze earnest. "Sister, you manage the six palaces with meticulous care and utmost reliability. I have come here today to ask you... if you could offer some guidance, or perhaps assign two capable female officials to help me sort things out?"
As she said this, Consort Shun glanced at the green willow behind Meng Shu.
Meng Shu listened quietly, a faint smile always on her lips. After Consort Shun finished speaking, she said slowly, "Sister, you are too modest. His Majesty mentioned a few days ago that you were able to assist the Grand Commander in managing military affairs when you were in the Northern Frontier. This decisiveness and spirit are beyond the reach of ordinary young ladies. His Majesty entrusted you with this important task precisely because he values your competence, which is not found in others."
She paused slightly, took a sip of her tea, and continued gently, "As for assisting... it's not that I'm unwilling, but it's inconvenient for me to overstep my bounds. The imperial selection is a major event in the palace, and since the Emperor has personally appointed you to manage it, it shows he trusts your ability to handle things independently. If I were to intervene rashly, it would be unseemly and could easily invite criticism, with people saying you've lost your composure. However..."
She put down her teacup. “If you have any questions about the regulations, you are welcome to consult the old files of the Shanggong Bureau or ask a few senior Shanggong. I will instruct them to cooperate fully and will not make things difficult for you.”
After Consort Shun left, Green Willow couldn't help but ask softly, "Your Highness, why did you refuse so decisively just now? This selection of consorts is of great importance. If we can participate in it early, it may not be without benefit for our Lingcui Palace."
Meng Shu left the council hall and walked along the corridor towards the rear palace. She replied, "His Majesty entrusted this matter to Consort Shun, rather than Wan'er and me, precisely because his intention was to maintain balance. If we were to step forward now, wouldn't we be seen as those who are tactless and do not understand His Majesty's intentions?"
She stopped at the corner, her gaze sweeping over the newly hung glass lanterns under the eaves, her voice calm and even, "Besides, do you really think that Consort Shun is as 'uncouth' as she claims, completely ignorant of etiquette?"
Green Willow followed behind, carrying a hand warmer, and hesitated to speak upon hearing this.
Meng Shu said, "If she truly came to seek guidance, she would have prepared several specific difficulties and questions about the procedures, rather than just asking for 'guidance' without any real explanation after receiving the decree."
The spring breeze swept through the long corridor, causing the jade pendants at her waist to jingle softly.
“However…” Meng Shu looked at the melting snow between the bricks in the courtyard and said calmly, “Whether she is truly ignorant or has other intentions, we don’t need to get involved in this mess. The selection of candidates will be held in March, and the candidates will only be able to enter the palace at the end of May. Even if there are outstanding ones who receive special favor as soon as they enter the palace, it will still take one or two years to climb from the seventh-rank Baolin to the rank of Consort.”
"With such a long period of time, who can say what changes might occur? Perhaps before they can even gain a foothold, the winds in the palace will have already shifted."
Green Willow was taken aback by what she heard, but then understood.
She gently handed the hand warmer in her arms to Meng Shu, her fingertips touching her mistress's slightly cool fingertips. She quickly adjusted the sash of her cloak for her, saying, "Your Majesty is very thoughtful. It was I who was short-sighted."
Outside Lingcui Palace, Xiaodie helped Consort Shun down the stone steps. Looking back at the tightly closed palace gates, she lowered her voice and said, "Your Highness, it's a good thing that Consort Jin refused so decisively. If Lingcui Palace doesn't interfere, it will be easier for us to proceed. In my opinion, even Granny Qin's advice to you to make this trip was unnecessary..."
"Xiaodie".
Consort Shun interrupted calmly, "Consort Jin is a sensible person. Her reluctance to get involved is likely because she doesn't want to be associated with us. As for this task... let Granny Suqin go to Funing Palace, and let Consort Min take the lead for now..."
Xiaodie listened for a while, then bowed her head and replied, "Yes." The figures of the two, mistress and servant, gradually disappeared at the end of the palace road.
......
Meanwhile, in Lin'an, a thousand miles away, spring is in full bloom.
Prefect Qin of Lin'an personally paid a visit to the Tang residence, but failed to meet Marquis Tang Xian of Lin'an. He was only received by his son, Tang Lin, in the front hall. After several rounds of tea, Prefect Qin smiled, but his eyes betrayed his disappointment.
It turned out that it was only after Miss Qin wrote a letter before the New Year that Lord Qin learned his daughter had gone to the capital. Not only had her old friendship with Consort Chun not diminished, but she had also been granted an audience with the emperor. This news rekindled his dormant thoughts, and he had already sent lavish gifts to the Tang family twice before the New Year. Now, however, he had been turned away when he personally visited, and he understood that he could no longer rely on the connection with the Marquis of Lin'an's family.
At this moment, Tang Xian was standing with his hands behind his back in his study.
What he held tightly in his hand was a secret letter sent by Madam Yun on horseback at great speed. The letter was slightly wrinkled, clearly indicating that he had read it repeatedly.
"...Give up?" Tang Xian muttered to himself, a bitter and hard smile curving his lips.
He slowly clenched the letter, a burning resentment surging within him. This was not only the temptation of power, but also a matter of the Tang family's century-long honor and disgrace, and the obsession he and his wife had held for half their lives.
He looked up out the window, his gaze deep and intense, as if trying to pierce through the warm spring rain of Jiangnan and reach the depths of the imperial city a thousand miles away.